'Rebel-held Sampur falls to Sri Lanka military'

Colombo, Sept 4: Sri Lanka's military has taken control of the northeastern area of Sampur from Tiger rebels after days of fighting to secure the southern lip of strategic Trincomalee harbour, a military official said today.

The fall comes after days of fierce artillery battles between the foes for control of the area, from which the rebels had been able to shell a major naval base and disrupt a maritime supply route to government-held Jaffna peninsula to the north.

''Sampur has fallen. We have moved in and are consolidating the area,'' said a military official on condition of anonymity.

''There is not much resistance, not much fighting.'' The Tigers had no immediate comment.

Yesterday, at least 14 soldiers had been killed and 92 wounded since the Sampur offensive began a week earlier. The army estimates about 120 rebels were killed there by the weekend.

There were no details of any new casualties during today's advance.

REUTERS

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